Singapore Property Watch

Latest News On Singapore’s Booming Property Market


Live in the heart of it all

Step into a world that bings you the beat of waterfront living. Live and be seen at the centre of it all - Tribeca by the waterfront.

Imagine your own private oasis in the heart of the city. A lush paradise inspired by clean lines and distinctive facade, realizing a perfect blend of modernity and natural serenity. A magnificient freehold property, Tribeca by the waterfront offers you the opportunity to experience riverside living at its finest. Here, the choices are always yours to make - bask in the peaceful sanctity of modern refinement and pristine greenery, or move to the rhythm and pulse of the city.

Current major projects

Project Tenure District Developer Location Total
Concourse Skyline 99 07 Hong Fok Land Beach Road 360
Skyline 360° at St Thomas Walk FH 09 Hiap Hoe Group St Thomas Walk 61
Belle Vue Residences FH 09 Wing Tai Oxley Walk 176
Volari FH 10 CDL Balmoral Road 85
Latitude FH 10 CapitaLand Jalan Mutiara 127
The Orange Grove FH 10 Ho Bee Orange Grove Road 72
Madison Residences FH 10 Keppel Land Bukit Timah Road 56
VIVA FH 11 Allgreen Properties Suffolk Walk 235

Speculators a minority as they shoot for small flipping gains

By EMILYN YAP

This brings to mind the government’s warning last week - that some element of speculation is back in the property market. Industry watchers say, however, that subsales are common for fully sold projects and speculation still remains mild.According to industry watchers, sellers in the subsale market need to charge a premium of at least 5 per cent to break even. This would cover stamp duty, legal fees and any agent’s commission. To earn more, some may set prices which are up to 10 per cent more than what they paid.

SAVILLS Singapore has launched for sale two residential properties - the freehold No 3 Balmoral Road with an indicative price of $65 million; and an 86,402 square foot plot at No 162 Tagore Avenue, within the Teachers Housing Estate, with an indicative price of $15 million. The latter is being sold on a 99-year leasehold tenure by the Singapore Teachers’ Union, which holds the freehold interest in the property.No 3 Balmoral Road currently comprises a development of 11 apartments, all leased out, but Savills is marketing the property for its redevelopment potential. The property is owned by an investment company and has a land area of 23,821 sq ft, a permissible plot ratio (ratio of maximum gross floor area to land area) of 1.6 and a height restriction of 12 storeys.

Some firms may expand as rents fall and the economy stabilises

 

By EMILYN YAP

(SINGAPORE) A plunge in Grade A office rents has raised Singapore’s competitive edge somewhat. According to Colliers International, office occupancy costs here were the fourth-highest among 26 Asia-Pacific cities in Q2 this year - down a notch from a quarter ago.

As rents stay weak while the economy stabilises, property consultants also expect some companies to take advantage of the situation to expand.

By UMA SHANKARI

Prime first-storey rents in the Orchard/Scotts Road area fell 0.8 per cent to $39.60 per sq ft per month (psf pm). This was a slower pace of decline, after rents fell 4.8 per cent in Q1. Rents for second-storey space fell 4.5 per cent in Q2 - also less than a 6.4 per cent fall in Q1. Rents in suburban areas fell marginally in Q2, supported by resident catchments. Prime first-storey rents eased 0.6 per cent in Q2 - the same as the fall in Q1.

However, rents in ‘other city areas’ fell more in Q2 than Q1, partly due to new supply that will be completed in the second half of 2009. Prime first-storey rents declined 3.1 per cent to $25.40 psf pm in Q2, more than the previous quarter’s fall of 2.2 per cent. 1.3 million sq ft or 56 per cent of new retail space that will be completed in the rest of the year will be in ‘other city areas’, DTZ estimates.

12.8% increase in average price of 2-bedroom units; firm expects full-year primary market sales to top 2006 figure of 11,147 units

 By KALPANA RASHIWALA

This followed a 3.7 per cent quarter-on-quarter (q-o-q) price fall in Q1.
Two-bedroom units posted a 12.8 per cent q-on-q gain in Q2, as their lower quantum prices stimulated interest among people hoping to own prime district property.

But DTZ considers the Q2 price gain a blip supported by buyers’ fears of missing the bottom, pent-up demand and low interest rates - rather than economic fundamentals.

Next month, Jardine Lloyd Thompson and QBE Insurance Group will launch a rent protection insurance policy aimed at protecting landlords of private homes and HDB flats.

The timing of this first-of-its-kind product in Singapore is perfect given rising instances of early terminations as global economic conditions worsen.

‘This is something you can find in Australia. We talked about offering it here a year ago and it is now ready,’ said Institute of Estate Agents (IEA) president Jeff Foo. ‘From feedback gathered from our members, there are more people breaking their leases early this downturn compared with the previous downturn. Landlords are not really protected.’

Thanks to the mini-buzz created by two new successful launches - Caspian in Jurong and Alexis @ Alexandra - a few developers have decided to release their projects for sale.

It is an improvement, even if it is just a slight one, from the very sombre mood a month ago, when market watchers were expecting the lull in the market to continue.

Over the weekend, TG Development launched 30 units of the freehold, 102-unit St Patrick’s Residences in St Patrick’s Road in the East.

On average, prices start at around $675 per sq ft (psf) for a two-bedroom unit and rise to about $900 psf for a four-bedroom penthouse.


Live in the heart of it all

Step into a world that bings you the beat of waterfront living. Live and be seen at the centre of it all - Tribeca by the waterfront.

Imagine your own private oasis in the heart of the city. A lush paradise inspired by clean lines and distinctive facade, realizing a perfect blend of modernity and natural serenity. A magnificient freehold property, Tribeca by the waterfront offers you the opportunity to experience riverside living at its finest. Here, the choices are always yours to make - bask in the peaceful sanctity of modern refinement and pristine greenery, or move to the rhythm and pulse of the city.

Current major projects

Project Tenure District Developer Location Total
Concourse Skyline 99 07 Hong Fok Land Beach Road 360
Skyline 360° at St Thomas Walk FH 09 Hiap Hoe Group St Thomas Walk 61
Belle Vue Residences FH 09 Wing Tai Oxley Walk 176
Volari FH 10 CDL Balmoral Road 85
Latitude FH 10 CapitaLand Jalan Mutiara 127
The Orange Grove FH 10 Ho Bee Orange Grove Road 72
Madison Residences FH 10 Keppel Land Bukit Timah Road 56
VIVA FH 11 Allgreen Properties Suffolk Walk 235

Speculators a minority as they shoot for small flipping gains

By EMILYN YAP

This brings to mind the government’s warning last week - that some element of speculation is back in the property market. Industry watchers say, however, that subsales are common for fully sold projects and speculation still remains mild.According to industry watchers, sellers in the subsale market need to charge a premium of at least 5 per cent to break even. This would cover stamp duty, legal fees and any agent’s commission. To earn more, some may set prices which are up to 10 per cent more than what they paid.

SAVILLS Singapore has launched for sale two residential properties - the freehold No 3 Balmoral Road with an indicative price of $65 million; and an 86,402 square foot plot at No 162 Tagore Avenue, within the Teachers Housing Estate, with an indicative price of $15 million. The latter is being sold on a 99-year leasehold tenure by the Singapore Teachers’ Union, which holds the freehold interest in the property.No 3 Balmoral Road currently comprises a development of 11 apartments, all leased out, but Savills is marketing the property for its redevelopment potential. The property is owned by an investment company and has a land area of 23,821 sq ft, a permissible plot ratio (ratio of maximum gross floor area to land area) of 1.6 and a height restriction of 12 storeys.

Some firms may expand as rents fall and the economy stabilises

 

By EMILYN YAP

(SINGAPORE) A plunge in Grade A office rents has raised Singapore’s competitive edge somewhat. According to Colliers International, office occupancy costs here were the fourth-highest among 26 Asia-Pacific cities in Q2 this year - down a notch from a quarter ago.

As rents stay weak while the economy stabilises, property consultants also expect some companies to take advantage of the situation to expand.

By UMA SHANKARI

Prime first-storey rents in the Orchard/Scotts Road area fell 0.8 per cent to $39.60 per sq ft per month (psf pm). This was a slower pace of decline, after rents fell 4.8 per cent in Q1. Rents for second-storey space fell 4.5 per cent in Q2 - also less than a 6.4 per cent fall in Q1. Rents in suburban areas fell marginally in Q2, supported by resident catchments. Prime first-storey rents eased 0.6 per cent in Q2 - the same as the fall in Q1.

However, rents in ‘other city areas’ fell more in Q2 than Q1, partly due to new supply that will be completed in the second half of 2009. Prime first-storey rents declined 3.1 per cent to $25.40 psf pm in Q2, more than the previous quarter’s fall of 2.2 per cent. 1.3 million sq ft or 56 per cent of new retail space that will be completed in the rest of the year will be in ‘other city areas’, DTZ estimates.

12.8% increase in average price of 2-bedroom units; firm expects full-year primary market sales to top 2006 figure of 11,147 units

 By KALPANA RASHIWALA

This followed a 3.7 per cent quarter-on-quarter (q-o-q) price fall in Q1.
Two-bedroom units posted a 12.8 per cent q-on-q gain in Q2, as their lower quantum prices stimulated interest among people hoping to own prime district property.

But DTZ considers the Q2 price gain a blip supported by buyers’ fears of missing the bottom, pent-up demand and low interest rates - rather than economic fundamentals.

Next month, Jardine Lloyd Thompson and QBE Insurance Group will launch a rent protection insurance policy aimed at protecting landlords of private homes and HDB flats.

The timing of this first-of-its-kind product in Singapore is perfect given rising instances of early terminations as global economic conditions worsen.

‘This is something you can find in Australia. We talked about offering it here a year ago and it is now ready,’ said Institute of Estate Agents (IEA) president Jeff Foo. ‘From feedback gathered from our members, there are more people breaking their leases early this downturn compared with the previous downturn. Landlords are not really protected.’

Thanks to the mini-buzz created by two new successful launches - Caspian in Jurong and Alexis @ Alexandra - a few developers have decided to release their projects for sale.

It is an improvement, even if it is just a slight one, from the very sombre mood a month ago, when market watchers were expecting the lull in the market to continue.

Over the weekend, TG Development launched 30 units of the freehold, 102-unit St Patrick’s Residences in St Patrick’s Road in the East.

On average, prices start at around $675 per sq ft (psf) for a two-bedroom unit and rise to about $900 psf for a four-bedroom penthouse.

THE Singapore real estate investment trust (S-Reit) sector has grown remarkably since the first Reit – CapitaMall Trust – was listed in July 2002. Between 2006 and 2008 alone, more than 13 Reits were listed, compared with only seven between 2002 and 2005.

Choices of Reits have also expanded. In 2005, investors could only choose between commercial (retail, office or mixed), industrial and logistics Reits. Today, they can find hospitality, healthcare and residential Reits. There are also Reits that own foreign assets.

The sharp slide in high-end residential property prices is beginning to show up on the radars of serious investors.

From their peaks in the second half of 2007 to the first quarter this year, transacted prices of luxury condos in the prime Orchard Road belt have fallen by about 40 per cent.

This is the steepest islandwide decline in condo prices and the potential buying opportunities that this is opening up are not lost on investors keen on buying multiple units.

Investment property sales shrank in the first quarter of this year to their lowest level since 1998, as fewer transactions of smaller value took place.

According to property consultancy DTZ, sales plunged 58 per cent quarter on quarter to just $153 million in Q1. They were spread over 10 deals, down from 15 in Q4 2008.

The poor Q1 showing is the third-worst ever. During the Asian financial crisis, sales dropped to $107 million in Q1 1998 and as low as $47 million in Q3 1998. Differing price expectations between buyers and sellers are making it difficult to close deals.

PROPERTY investment sales in Singapore have fallen off the cliff since the start of the year and could slip to levels not seen since the Asian financial crisis.

According to the latest figures from CB Richard Ellis (CBRE), sales so far this year total $184.6 million, down 98 per cent on the same period a year ago and 56.4 per cent lower than the last quarter of 2008.

For the full year, total investment sales could plummet to levels not seen for over 10 years, with buyers and sellers locked in a stalemate and far apart in terms of price expectations, the consultancy warned yesterday.

Institutional funds and private banks are scouting for property assets in the Asia-Pacific, industry players say.

The funds and banks - armed with billions of dollars in cash - are laying the groundwork so they can snap up assets on the cheap later in the year.

SG Private Banking, which just set up a centre in Singapore to focus on real estate, hopes to invest another US$500 million in Asian property by end-2010.

THE authorities recently rejected the request of some real estate investment trust (Reit) managers to reduce the minimum payout ratio to unitholders while still being allowed to enjoy tax concessions.

Spelling out the government’s stand a few weeks ago, Senior Minister of State for Finance and Transport Lim Hwee Hua said: ‘The key characteristics of Reits as a stable, high-payout, pass-through vehicle are important considerations for investors and, hence, must be preserved.’

‘Ministry of Finance and Monetary Authority of Singapore have deliberated this issue and have decided that the minimum payout ratio would not be changed,’ she added.

REAL estate investment trusts are supposed to be stable assets and a core retiree holding, whose regular yield distributions help to cushion a portfolio. All these attributes went out the window in the wake of the severe and on-going credit crunch.

Kim Redding, executive director and global portfolio manager of AMP Capital Redding Investors, believes that Reit prices globally have overshot on the downside, like most publicly traded assets. Almost uniformly across various markets, Reits’ net asset values have dropped 25 to 30 per cent, and their share prices have fallen even more deeply by 65 per cent.

New interest-absorption schemes offered by developers through banks are attracting the smart money

JUDGING by the response to the recently launched Caspian and Alexis, real estate remains a key element of the typical Singaporean’s wealth-management strategy.

While cash is still king, real estate - like gold - is something tangible to hang on to. And recent downward price adjustments are making it an increasingly attractive asset class. What is making new launches even more enticing is that investors are cottoning on to the fact that new interest absorption schemes (IAS) offered by developers through banks are very much like the former deferred payment scheme (DPS).

Paya Lebar was one of Singapore’s earliest commercial hubs, but it now stands neglected andpaya lebar underdeveloped, with the Singapore Post Centre building its sole marker of modernisation.

Within the next 15 years, however, all that will change.

The neighbourhood around the Paya Lebar MRT station is slated for a major makeover as part of the Government’s recently unveiled draft masterplan.

It will be transformed into Paya Lebar Central, a suburban commercial node nestled between the city centre and the bustling Tampines commercial hub.

About 12ha of land around Sims Avenue and Geylang Road will be put up for development, yielding some 5.4 million sq ft of commercial space.

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BANGKOK - OIL prices dropped below US$124 a barrel yesterday in Asia, as demand concerns deepened and after United States Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke indicated that more US interest rate cuts were unlikely.

Mr Bernanke’s comments suggesting inflation was too much of a concern to contemplate more rate hikes sent the US dollar higher and raised questions about oil’s ability to reach new highs in the short term.

He signalled that the Fed was inclined to leave rates where they were for now, but some analysts said he might be taking a step towards an eventual rise in rates later this year or early next year.

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